Uzbekistan

Overview

Uzbekistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, with an estimated population of 29.7 million (2012). The country has high growth rates in terms of GDP; however in 2010, it was estimated that 19.5% of the population is unable to meet basic needs. Uzbekistan ranks 116h out of 187 countries and territories in UNDP 2014 Human Development Index.

Education in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan joined the Global Partnership in 2013. UNICEF serves as the coordinating agency for the local education group, which includes donor agencies and civil society. The education sector plan (2013-2017) was endorsed by the local education group, and it focuses on early childhood development, improving the quality of teaching and learning, and teacher training.

In June 2014, the GPE Board of Directors approved a grant of $49.9 million for Uzbekistan. This grant is expected to 1) increase the number of children learning and demonstrating mastery of basic literacy and numeracy skills, 2) improve the quality of teachers through training, 3) increase access to quality early childhood care and education in rural areas, 4) improve secondary education, and 5) strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Education to monitor the education system.

Results

Uzbekistan has a significant number of young people, and the government is eager to improve education in the country. In the past few years, the percentage of out-of-school children in Uzbekistan has increased from 7.3% in 2007 to 8.5% in 2011. The primary enrollment rate decreased from 94.6% in 2007 to 93.3% in 2011, with the primary completion rate also falling from 97% in 2007 to 91.8% in 2011. The gender parity index for the primary completion rate was 0.98 in 2012. (Source: UIS)